Cigar Blog

Happiness is a good cigar

How to Store Cigars

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Storing cigars properly is important because it may compromise its taste and quality. Once it is left in the open, it will dry up just like a flower. Mishandled cigars may burn unevenly or faster than usual. They can have a strong bitter taste and even broken wrappers. Molds and insects also pose a problem. Prevent these by keeping cigars below the maximum temperature of 73F (23C) and within 68%-74% humidity. The ideal environment would be 70F (21C) and 70% humidity. Cigars that are not stored in a humidor must be kept in a sealed plastic bag with a damp towel. ?They often last a week or two, depending on the weather. Do not store them in the refrigerator, because they will lose their moisture. Although in some cases, it is acceptable to freeze them to avoid insect infestations.

Preferably cigars should be placed in a humidor, a sealed container which has a humidifying device that maintains its internal humidity and temperature by controlling the amount of air that flows in. They simulate the conditions of the tropics where the tobacco was cultivated, fermented and rolled. There are many types of humidors to choose from. It is best to invest in one with a lock or heavy lid that keeps it sealed. The size will depend on how much cigars you plan to keep and where you will place it. If you have a collection of cigars or are planning to collect then it is wise to purchase a large box. Small humidors and travel sizes are also available. Image from Brandt Kurowski

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Should You Age Your Cigars?

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This is probably one of the most common questions that you hear from new cigar enthusiasts. It is a very valid question as you normally hear people talking about how the older the cigar is, the better it tastes. Then there is the camp that says that aging a cigar would cause it to lose certain flavors. So which camp is right? Do cigars taste better when aged or are they better smoked “fresh?”

The answer, I have to say, depends on you and your personal preference PLUS the kind of cigar. So how do you know whether you should age your cigar or not?

If you are a new to the cigar smoking world, you might not have an all time favorite cigar yet. Or perhaps you do – you never know. Here is a suggestion to help you determine if you actually should age cigars. I have to warn you, though, this will take a long time.

So here is what you should do. Get your favorite cigar and set it up for aging. The best thing you can do with respect to this is to get yourself a good humidor if you don’t have one. If you can’t afford it right now, then you might want to ask a friend if you could put your cigar in his humidor. Otherwise, you can’t really age a cigar properly and if you are planning on aging cigars in the future, you really need one.

Age your cigar for 6 months to a year and at the end of that time, purchase another cigar – same brand and flavor – and then compare how they both taste. See which one you prefer and you will have your answer.

When NOT To Light That Cigar

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cigarIt’s a nice night, and you want to spend it smoking a cigar while enjoying the cool breeze outside. Or maybe you want to settle in in your favorite comfortable chair and watch a good movie or read a book while smoking a cigar. Then you realize a possibility – that the only cigars you have at home might have “gone bad!”

Is this scenario even possible? Definitely! While you may not want to think about cigars going bad, it does happen – and it has happened. And the last thing that you want is to ruin your night with a bad stogie. Before you even light it, take a closer look at your cigar and make sure that it is worth lighting. Here are some tips to help you determine whether to light your cigar or not.

Is it dry beyond hope? If your cigar is drier than the Mojave desert in the middle of the day, I suggest not lighting it. This means that the cigar has lost its essential oils that give it flavor. Of course, you can opt to light it but the chances are that your mood will be ruined beyond repair. Here’s a better tip: avoid getting dry cigars by investing in a good humidor.

Does your cigar smell bad? It does not take a rocket scientist to know that, generally, some thing that smells bad tastes bad! If you do not like the smell of your unlit cigar, then the chances are it will taste just as awful when lit. Spare yourself. Throw it away.

Where did you buy your cigar? Let’s face it folks, buying cigars at 7-11 or grocery stores is not the smartest thing to do. While you can get them for cheap, they are probably of low quality. Worse, they are probably old stock – stale. If you bought those cigars from the local supermarket check out counter out of impulse, I suggest just going to a “real” cigar store or even buying online. Don’t waste your money.